Conflict of Land Use Types over Geomorphological Space of Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria: The Analyses and Predictions

Abstract

Geomorphological constraints have led to the scarcity of lands in most urban and newly urbanizing areas by reducing land that would have been available for urban expansion. This study aims at looking at the conflict among various types of land related activities over geomorphological space of Anambra State. The data used for this study include primary and secondary data. A mixed-method approach was applied in the analysis and presentation of data, and ArcGIS 10.2 Geographic Information System (GIS) software was also used for the processing of the satellite imageries to determine the rate of land use cover change (LUCC) in the State. Conclusively, people for long are not living in the active flood plains of Idemili-Niger area and other agriculturally endowed lands, but presently, due to increase in population and pressure on land, people have now started buying and sand filling lands in these areas without considering the danger their actions may cause if there is soil failure. Mixed land use type is visibly observed, especially urban related land use like commercial and other socio-cultural land uses. The LUCC analysis shows that there is a reduction in vegetated land and disturbed vegetation, while settlements increased within a period of thirty (30) years. Presently, Anambra State is almost attaining equilibrium in all land use types in the State and if nothing is done to check the trend, there may no longer be available space for vegetation or farmland in the State in the next thirty (30) years.